World of Animals
Featured Animals
General
Caracals are interesting Asian cats with unique tufts on their ears. We hope you find them as interesting as we do! To jump to a specific section, use the Quick Jump below by clicking on the headings.
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Habitat
and Habits
-live on the dry terrain from India to Africa
-prefers stony scrubby ground and desert
steppes
-will venture into dry grassland and Savannah
woodlands
-coat color blends with terrain
-during day rests among rocks/holes
-faster than most cats of size
-jumps well
-climbs trees quickly
-generally solitary and territorial
-active at night
Food
and Feeding
-hunts mostly at night
-often hunts over wide areas
-uses speed and agility
-main food is birds up to the size of a guinea fowl
-also hunts: rodents, hyraxea, monkeys, lizards, young antelopes
-uses several hunting techniques
-small mammals are caught by surprise and then
bit on the neck
-birds are seized when roosting in low branches
-lies in wait at water holes for prey
-eats inside of a tree where it is undisturbed by scavengers
Cool
Facts - Ears
-large ears with tufts
-used as signaling devices (black and white markings prominent)
-ears perk up when alert
-ears flat when stalking prey
-makes less conspicuous
Links for More Information
-The Caracal
-Oklahoma City Zoo's The Caracal